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Atrial Fibrillation and long-term management with medication

Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: May 26, 2022 | Replies (65)
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@realitytest

Thank YOU for elaborating on your medical/medication history as pertains here.

I am about to see my cardiologist (first time in months, the way it works around here even in an emergency). Will also try to reach the out of town (Cleveland Clinic) office - doctor's PA - to report my med response, and concerns.

(Wondering about the difference between beta blockers and calcium blockers.)

PS I take potassium salt substitute (quite satisfactory for me, compared to sodium) and magnesium supplements - I really need it to combat my very painful nocturnal leg cramps.

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Replies to "Thank YOU for elaborating on your medical/medication history as pertains here. I am about to see..."
windyshores | @windyshores | May 2, 2022

I just reread your post. A doctor cannot really "insist" on you taking any medication. You always have the right to refuse. And it can stay friendly 🙂

The problem seems to be that you took the beta blocker when your pulse and blood pressure were normal, so it lowered both to below normal.

If you have tachycardia, it is a good med- while you have tachycardia. It seems you would have to monitor so that when the tachycardia stops, you also stop the med- BUT you have to taper it very very carefully.

If you can tolerate the tachycardia, then you can try foregoing medication and see if it stops.

Afib is different from tachycardia itself, because of the stroke risk from clots. I have asked for short term anticoagulation and instead they did an echocardiogram to make sure I had no clots. I read a study that suggested people like us should be able to do one month of anticoagulation to deal with an episode.

I do tai chi and Reiki and try to keep stress down. It looks like you follow some of the same approaches with Mg and Potassium.

I hope your problems do not recur. I don't know why many providers don't listen about the blood pressure.

I have a Kardia to do an EKG at home. It is the size of a credit card and you put two fingers on it and count to 30. Good luck!

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